The Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation, winner of Sister Cities International's award for Best Overall Program, brought tenor, Gianni Coletta, from Highland Park's sister city, Modena, Italy to Highland Park to participate in Focus on the Arts and perform at a variety of other concerts.

Coletta was honored at a dinner sponsored by the Modenese Society of Highland Park/Highwood, the Sister Cities Foundation, and the Highwood Bocce Club. The Modenese Society of Highland Park/Highwood is the oldest incorporated organization established by immigrants from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and is currently composed of 300 members.